An unmanned container ship under tow off Malta sank yesterday at 4am in 300 metres deep water, Transport Malta said. The vessel was not carrying any cargo.

The mv Fas Provence was just under 81 nautical miles south east of Delimara point when it went under. The position, 34˚ 35.2N, 015˚ 13.7E, is within international waters covered by the service area of the Malta Coast Radio Station operated by the Armed Forces of Malta.

Transport Malta said the AFM was for some days following the troubled towing operation of the Bahamas-registered vessel, which is 130 metres in length. The tugs West and Izmir Bull were towing it but due to the recent gale force winds, the vessel posed a serious hazard to navigation, TM said.

Regular broadcasts were being transmitted alerting all ships in the Central Mediterranean of the hazard and yesterday, the master of a tug informed Malta Radio that the condition of the mv Fas Provence was deteriorating fast with the vessel listing to one side and taking in water.

The AFM communicated the information to TM and deployed an aircraft to make a reconnaissance flight and assess the situation. All the necessary alerts were raised. TM said it and the AFM are in continuous liaison to monitor the situation for any possible pollution.

Malta Radio was informed that the tug West would remain stand-by on location. The AFM was to deploy another reconnaissance flight to the area yesterday.

Transport Malta added it has officially informed the flag state of the ship.